Victory Head Coach, Grant Brebner, is rallying his players for two key away fixtures, starting with Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday night at WIN Stadium.
Following the postponement of Saturday’s clash with Sydney FC, Brebner and the squad will be hosted by the ‘Nix in Wollongong before facing Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.
Brebs on returning to NSW, our recovering centre-backs and Wednesday night's opposition 💬 #MVFC #Since05 pic.twitter.com/bauThea6VO
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) March 23, 2021
At the back
Victory will be without Ryan Shotton and Dylan Ryan for the midweek meeting, but the Head Coach is hopeful the defensive pair will return to action soon.
“Both centre-backs, Shotton and Ryan, have resumed training which is great but this game came a little too quick for them,” Brebner said.
“Every day is a bonus for both players. We want to see them hold up, get through training and play at an intensity that they can take into the game.”
Brebner will also be without the defensive experience of Leigh Broxham due to suspension, but will be boosted by the inclusion of Nick Ansell.
Our squad to face Wellington in Wollongong is in! Thanks to @MetriconHomes 🙌 #MVFC #Since05
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) March 23, 2021
Phoenix
“They [Wellington] are a good footballing side. They’ve not had the run of the green in certain games but we saw on the weekend how good they can be,” Brebner said.
“Their rotations are very good, they have good footballers and if we aren’t individually concentrating, they will hurt us.”
A Rudy Gestede brace secured the three point against Wellington in February, but the striker will miss the away fixture through injury.
“We need to rely on the depth of the squad and hopefully we can put in a performance tomorrow night,” he said.
The club is excited to announce the return of active support for our next home match against Sydney FC on Easter Sunday at AAMI Park 🙌 #MVFC #Since05
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) March 23, 2021
On the road
After a disappointing run of results at Marvel Stadium, Brebner expects his players to be on the front foot away from home.
“It’s clear that we need to continue to be aggressive, in the way we want to play.
“We saw that we can knock the ball around and be a good footballing team but again, we need to be competitive and be in the match – regardless of what the score is,” said the Head Coach.
“That’s what our members and fans appreciate and that’s what we’ve been drumming home.”
